Autism Spectrum
Autism Spectrum questions and answers
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Q: autism spectrum?
this autism spectrum is so broad...i wonder how does a doctor diagnose a 12 year old? i have read signs...and i have spoken to those who are autistic of many spectrums....they all have opinions...my daughter was born not wanting to be held...for a long time, longer that most babies not smiling and required a large amount of stimulation in order to show excitment...later alot of spinning in circles...attitude problems all the way until now...social problems relating to other children...has friends but feels alone....still has temper problems...snuck into daddy bed until age 10...has a "crap in pants" problem and refuses to take the prescription to get help which seems strange at her age you think it would be embarassing..only learned to keep her hair combed last year...has some problems with vocabulary and speech at school..yet won 3rd place in 5th grade in speech tournament...!! seems to have memory problems...EVERY YEAR people say she is going through a stage...more i don't haveroom
A: i find it hard to beleive that you daughter has gone this long without a diagnosis!
make sure you see a child psychiatrist for the evaluation. they are hard to come by...but you need an expert for this.
contact me if you would like to chat more.
i have a 15 year old son with aspergers syndrome and have been in the " system" for many years. i will be happy to pass on any help i can. :)
Q: What are the vaccines that are suspected to cause autism spectrum disorder in children?
I heard the dosage may be the problem or allergy to the vaccine but i don't know which one. My son has mild end autism spectrum disorder. If he is sensitive to vaccines can he get a flu shot?
A: It is interesting to know but I don't know if any one here knows about it inform us.
Q: What is the best way to organize a classroom to benefit students with autism spectrum disorder?
I am moving into a new classroom and new job description next year. I will be teaching four students with autism spectrum disorder in a mobile unit. I am aware that the classroom needs to be structured with defined space for each activity, but haven't seen any concrete examples. Can anyone give me some good ideas or examples? Thanks!
Wow! I've gotten such great responses already. :-) I should add that this classroom will have two assistants (a total of three staff members). Students are ages 14 to 20.
A: Defined space is not as important as some other issues. Each child will need to have a clearly defined, personal workspace. Many of the most successful setups I have seen have a desk with a set of three or four plastic drawers next to them. The top drawer holds things like the daily picture schedule and work folders. The next drawer holds the childs supplies..pencils, crayons, etc. (While you can have kids share at times, in the beginning it is usually helpful if they each have their own). The third drawer is the personal spot. Students can put in things like stim items, rewards, or personal items like books or magazines they may want to read. The fourth drawer (when it is there) has held things like math manipulatives and any special items that particular student may need. Desks should be far enough apart that students can not eaily reach one another and to allow room for the teacher or aide to sit beside them to assist as needed. The room should also have a clearly defined "group" area...a large table that allows you to sit in the center is perfect. This is the place to work with all the kids or to have the kids work with you one on one. They will know that being at this table means work time. Finally, you need a clearly defined quiet area. This could be tucked in a corner, with pillows and objects like books or small stuffed toys. This is a spot for the kids to go to when they need to defuse a bit. The one cautionary I give in designing this spot is to be sure any bookcases you may use as "walls" are firmly secured to the wall, with nothing on top that can cause problems. This is simply because you may have some upset kids in there and for many autistic kids this can mean throwing or attempting to overturn furniture.
Far more important than the physical layout willl be how you structure and schedule the day. One of the first things to go over every day is the schedule. This should be large, with three colums "TO DO" "DOING NOW" and "COMPLETE". Each item should be listed with a word and photo/icture symbol for the activity. At the beginning of the day go over the whole schedule. As you begin the next task, move the picture card to the center colum. When you have completed the task, move it to the third colum. Each child should have a similar, smaller version of the schedule at his desk. As you move cards, so should they. As time progresses, you may find you have students who do well and don't need this complex a system. At that point, you can give them a daily paper schedule and have them check off tasks as they finish. A large clock is also important. Autistic kids need warning to transition from one thing to the next, especially in new settings. Check each child's IEP and behavioral plan to see what they are required to have and go from there.
I hope this helps. There are many books and websites out there that can provide even more information. Also, check with the schools behavioral specialist or psychologist for suggestions for each child. Good luck and have fun..these kids can be a challange but lots of fun and joy as well.
Q: How much is too much activity for a child on the autism spectrum?
My son does taekwondo(3x's a week), soccer(spring&fall)), tball(summer), basketball(winter). We were thinking about boy scouts for him. but we're concerned it's too much stimiulation.
How much is too much for a 9 year old boy on the autism spectrum?
A: Well, my son is on the autism spectrum as well (Asperger's) and I personally don't think you can have too much stimulation. Especially the organized type with the activities you are talking about.
If he's enjoying himself and it's not impacting him negatively once school starts again, where's the harm? At some point in the near future, he will probably begin to lose interest in a few of the activities as he decides which things he really likes to do.
At least he's not sitting at home all day in front of the TV watching cartoons or playing videogames.
The social aspects of group activities are wonderful for the social interaction as well.
Just don't burn yourself out with all the schlepping him around from activity to activity! :-)
Q: What do you know about Autism Spectrum Disorders?
I was just wondering...what do you know about Autism Spectrum Disorders? (I know a lot, just want to know what others know) This question is especially important since April is Autism Awareness Month.
I will provide a lot of info after the question is done. Also, just a note, I have a form of Autism myself, called Asperger's Syndrome. (hence the name "AspergersKitty")
A: I know autistics are treated terrribly by society. I know that the combating autism act which just passed is geared into funding research into development of a prenatal screening in efforts to eliminate the autistic population (similar to Downs).
I know that groups like Autism Speaks are also funding the same kind of research. Right now, we are in a rebirth of the eugenics movement in America and it is scary.
Q: What do you think of the available treatment options for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
As a provider of privately funded support services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders I am very interested in what parents/carers/people with ASD consider to be most helpful and most frustrating about the services they have received in the past.
A: The most frustrating thing is that once diagnosed there is no network and it takes years to get through all the research and start implementing it. Equally frustrating is the cost of therapies. The most helpful therapy we have done was homeopathic detox, cost 3000, and a sensory diet. I would love to do the tinnitus retraining 4000+ dollars and have my son screened for Irlen Lenses. I would love to do a full neuropsychological evaluation but these cost 2500. I wish we could afford social skills training like collage, or prompt in play. We have spent 10000 dollars on our oldest son, when our second son was diagnosed autistic and we paid 24 thousand dollars in fertility treatments to get him.
Q: To parents with children with the autism spectrum, which book was the most helpful on the matter?
I want to buy a book on Austism with information like what is autism exactly, what to expect, what are the treatments available and parenting tips for parents. And also one that is uplifting.
A: Jenny McCarthy books have been my inspiration since I found out in August that my son is autistic!!
There are many who thinks she is a nutjob but tell that to the parents that use the method she chose and now has some sort of peace in their homes, lives, but most importantly their children that are affected with autism!!
You have to know what to do for your own family.
I will say I agree 100% with what Jenny says in her books, interviews, radio/talk shows, ect.
I would also like to know why these darn doctors don't tell us parents when they are diagnosed with autism about these treatments and other resources, like DAN! doctors?? Even if they say that there is a 50/50 chance it will work, and it is a life changing process that requires 100% commitment to it. But that should be OUR choice as their parents, but to have to find out about this elsewhere is just rediculous!!!
If it wasn't for Jenny's books then I know I wouldn't know about these treatments and other resources!! I, like her, was basiclly told "SORRY YOUR SON HAS AUTISM, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE WE CAN DO. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A NICE LIFE!!"
They say it's because there is no scientific proof but isn't that what science is about, finding things that wasn't known before by research ect.
Where did they come up with vaccines and other medications and treatments for other illnesses and diseases?? They did research and "expierments" and such to find answers!! Why don't they do the same thing with these alternative treatments, gluten-free diet, ( which we are going to be starting our son on within the next couple weeks), ect.
~~Jen~~
Q: How can i get financial aid for my son to attend a school to help with his autism spectrum disorder?
My son is autistic and he needs more help than the local school district provides. We live in a small city and there are no other schools designed to help children with autism.
A: His school district has to recommend he be evaluated again, then with that evaluation they (the one doing the evaluation) will say what programs or therapy would be best suited for your son and your school district has to pay for it, other than that I can only recommend you talk with social services to see whats available to you through them. good luck to you.
Q: Do you know any good sites about autism spectrum disorders?
I started an online blog http://comfortingties.blogpsot.com and would like to list as many resources as possible for those needing information about autism. I have a lot of links already, but the more, the merrier.
A: Check these links:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/autism/complete-publication.shtml
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asd.cfm
http://pediatricneurology.com/autism.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/ActEarly/autism.html
http://www.autismsocietycanada.ca/understanding_autism/what_are_asds/index_e.html
Q: Can head trauma cause autism spectrum disorder?
I took my son to the dr recently and my dr mentioned that the severe trauma I received while 35 weeks pregnant could have caused my son's autism...Any one else heard of this?
A: The core genes for autism were identified two years ago by 137 scientists in over 50 locations in 9 countries around the world.
Since then, more genes have been identified.
All environmental causes and triggers, including vaccines, bad parenting, and head trauma have been ruled out as the cause for autism by these scientists and those that peer reviewed those studies.
Go here for more information: www.mic.mypodcast.com
Q: Where does Pervasive develpmental disorder stand on the autism spectrum?
My oldest child has been diagnosed with this and I am trying to find out as much as I can. So if there is any one that can help. PLEASE I'll gladly welcome it.
A: PDD-NOS is at the farthest edge of "high functioning"
LFA -----------------> HFA --> Asperger's ---> PDD-NOS
Anyone on the spectrum is still considered autistic.
Keep in mind, the functioning level is a generalization and can change with age; if your child has PDD-NOS he may very well fall somewhere between HFA and Asperger's at the moment as far as functioning is concerned, but without showing a complete set of symptoms, and he may progress up the scale with time. Also, just because he's labeled as PDD-NOS right now doesn't mean that can't change - he may show new symptoms later and be able to be diagnosed as Asperger's or HFA.
You are always welcome here :
http://spectrumites.proboards104.com/index.cgi
Q: If you think you fall on the Autism spectrum, would it be worth it to get officially diagnosed or not?
I feel I am very different from most people, and I have pretty much every trait of Asperger's Syndrome. I just don't know if it's worth it to get diagnosed. By that I mean, how can I benefit from an official diagnosis? Is there anything they can do to help?
By the way, I'm a 24 year old college student.
A: Yes. I believe that if you do fall into the spectrum that you would need a diagnosis to protect yourself from discrimination, for example. It is no shame in having Asperger's, nor the way it manifests. In other words, you don't have the wear the scarlet letter "A" on your chest and discuss your disability unwillingly. However, when you are different, there is the potential that you could have job problems, for example, as people may not understand why you have certain differences that are strange to them. People can be cruel, and their ignorance can cause your rights to be violated. If you must take action on such cases, it is to your advantage to have the availability of an advocate to assist you. This can be called a mild disability. Unless it creates a major hardship to an employer in the area of their accommodating you, you would need to have a diagnosis to support you and your rights. This is only one example of why you should seek someone to help. I would seek a diagnostician in your area through an association which emotionally supports Asperger's. Search engine, and ask questions. (If you are a student in psych and have found this in a DSM reference, beware of diagnosing yourself. Also, do find a diagnostician that specializes in the Autism spectrum).
Q: What is the job title for a person who takes care of people with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
4 hours a week I meet with a young boy who has Asperger's syndrome. We play video games, do his homework, go to the movies or other things that he wishes to do. In Norwegian the job title is "støttekontakt", directly translated to "support contact". What is the job title in English?
A: I am a line therapist I go into the home and run programs with young children.
Q: What type of school is best for boys on the low end of the Autism Spectrum?
This isn't too specific just trying to get some input.
We live in AAC MD.
A: I personally think that a public school with an EC teacher who specializes in Autism or who works with students with Autism would be fine. My school has 2 autistic classes whose EC teachers are amazing. The high-functioning students are also in the regular classroom for part of the day (depending on their IEP and individual needs), and the regular classroom teachers do a great job with these students. If your child has a mild form of Autism, a good public school will meet his needs.
Q: On the show, Max and Ruby, does Max have an autism spectrum disorder?
On the show, "Max and Ruby," Max is a 3 year old rabbit who is cared for by his 7 year old sister. (It is suspected that his parents were eaten by the same snake that killed Flower on Meerkat Manor.)
I noticed that Max's vocabulary seems to be very limited. Is this because he has a mild form of autism? Could it be because he has limited exposure to the English language? I imagine that his sister, understandably, is ill-equipped to socialize him properly.
A: it is a cartoon.